Tag Archives: Reduce Shrinkage

Once upon a time when combined incomes meant I could buy whatever grocery items I wanted, I was thrilled though not very wise because I didn’t give much thought to buying sale items or even comparing prices.

On my own over the years, my shopping habits have changed, but grocery stores don’t like the changes.

For example, today when I stopped at the second grocery store (the first is where I buy most of my groceries) because they had Mentos on sale for .79 versus 1.29 and I wanted three packages), plus I remembered I wanted to buy beets also, I walked into the grocery store to check out beet pricing. First, for convenience, I checked out the beets in a jar price and the ingredients. Then I returned to the front of the store for the produce section. Less beets, but fresher, without sugar, and nice looking greens was the better buy, but when I got to the checkout, the cashier asked was that all?

And I get it. As someone who worked in retail management I know certain shopping behaviors could be misunderstood as shoplifting maneuvers, especially when stores and staff observe someone regularly shopping for sale items and not loading up a cart of groceries as expected every week or two. However, when one’s income is generally small and/or sporadic, plus when one desires to live without using credit, you learn to be a wise shopper.

But the stores are a big part of the problems too since many stores do not put their sale or discounted items at the front of a store, but instead have shelf specials and racks stuck at the back or in certain sections.

As a result, I developed the habit of cruising a store for the sales and discounted items first, then going back to the beginning to see what I could still afford, which meant sometimes I was going back and forth, while deciding what was the best deal and the best food balance for the money.

We know inventory shrinkage costs the stores and the customers, us, money because the stores increase their prices to compensate. So here’s the business challenge store owners. … review and revise your marketing strategies … for all of your customers … and to reduce shrinkage also.

Don’t just focus on selling volume expecting all people to shop one way to meet your expectations and needs. Group your sale and discounted items in one area. Yes, some people will only buy sale and discounted items, but the majority won’t, especially if you manage your sale and discounted items effectively.

And to avoid internal shrinkage, be respectful of your staff and pay above poverty level wages, which will also reduce turnover and increase loyalty.

An Important FYI …

Some of the wealthiest and supposedly the most upstanding people in a community I have met have turned out to be the worst people/employers … taking advantage of their staff, shortchanging employees, paying cash to avoid paying legal benefits, manipulating and controlling through sexual intonations and threats of firing … even withholding pay for work already done and worse, but that’s another story.

Of course, you can also check the statistics, but then again, many people won’t report because of fear of repercussions.

Just saying … it’s all about perspective and willingness to know the truth rather than scapegoating and blaming others.